Produced by Ronnie Marmo Directed by Crystal K. Craft

T
BEN
Theatre 68
Produced by Ronnie Marmo
Directed by Crystal K. Craft
Written by Martin Sherman
January 19 - March 4
WELCOME
With only 68 cents in my bank account, I was
still convinced that you can make a living doing
what you love. It was with this total in my checkbook that I landed my first major acting role. “68
Cents” is what I was willing to have in order to
realize my dream. Acting is a passion, an art, and a
need that fills my gut.
It is this passion that motivated me to pull together
a group of the most talented friends I have and create a Company. A Company I lovingly named
the 68 Cent Crew. Over the past four years, the 68
Cent Crew Theatre Company has grown into a family of loving, supportive and extraordinarily gifted
actors. Now in our 5th year, we are fortunate to
have come so far in such a short time, but it could
not have come without hard work, commitment and
a fervent love of what we do.
THE CAST
IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Rudy - Stephen Kline
Max - Tyler Christopher
Wolf - Andrew Miller
Guard - Ryan Paul James
Guard - Samuel Dahl
Greta - Paul A. Hicks
Freddie - Rick Schiaffo
Horst - Jamison Jones*
Officer - Timothy Thomas Brown*
Captain - Chad Nell
Understudies:
for Max, Chad Nell
for Horst, Timothy Thomas Brown
for Rudy, Danny Cistone
for Officer & Captain, Forrest Lancaster
*Courtesy of Actors Equity
1
I’m so pleased that we are able to bring you the
award-winning play BENT. Tyler Christopher, who plays Max, was the driving force behind this
production. What can I say about Tyler? He is my
friend and one of the charter members of the 68
Cent Crew Theatre Company. He is our theatre
company’s “angel.” Without him, we wouldn’t have
the theatre that we have. Tyler’s efforts in raising
money, his energy and dedication to the theatre are
amazing.
I’d also like to thank Sheri Evans, who organizes
our big annual fundraiser with Tyler. We hope to
see you in July at this year’s event. You’ll find the
details on page 7.
Ronnie Marmo
Creative Director, 68 Cent Crew Theatre Company
THE CREW
Producer - Ronnie Marmo
Director - Crystal K. Craft
Assistant Director - Amy Reiss
Production Coordinator - Sasha Cartullo
Set Designer - Danny Cistone
Lighting Designer - Leah Springman
Costume Designer - Sara Jo Anderson
Music & Sound Supervisor - Wendy Marmo
Stunt Coordinator - Timothy Thomas Brown
Dialect Coach - Brenda Beck
Production Technical Crew - Melissa Stone
& Mo Stone
Armorer - Charles Currier
Los Angeles Fight Academy
Props - Roger Johnson, Kristen Anthony & Molly Johnson
Costumes - Nina Stoller & Kristen Anthony
BENT Photo - Kristen Anthony
Flyer Design - Melinda Lively & Danny Cistone
Postcard Design - Danny Cistone
“Streets of Berlin”
Music performed by Michael Sherwood
1934. Berlin.
BENT begins the day after “The Night of the Long
Knives” when Max Berber and Rudy Hennings are
caught in the wake of Hitler’s internal purging of
200 homosexual SS solders, including commander
Ernst Rohm. Max is ultimately transported to
Dachau - the first regular concentration camp
established by the Nazis. The Gestapo had the
authority to throw anybody into this camp for any
length of time. Initially the internees consisted of
German Communists, Social Democrats, and other
political opponents of the Nazi regime. Over time,
other groups were also interned at Dachau such as
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Blacks, Gypsies, Jews, and
homosexuals who were often more brutally persecuted than other prisoners. BENT addresses the
issues of humanity and identity with passion and
humor, but I feel it is ultimately a love story, and a
tribute to the strength of the human spirit.
Crystal Craft
BENT
Act One
Scene One - Max and Rudy’s apartment - June, 1934
Scene Two - Greta’s Club - later that day
Scene Three - a park in Cologne - two years later
Scene Four - a forest outside of Cologne - later that evening
Scene Five - a prisoner transport train - the next day
Scene Six - Dachau meal barracks - later that evening
There will be a 10-minute intermission.
Act Two
Scene One - Dachau - one month later
Scene Two - three days later
Scene Three - two months later
Scene Four - two months later
Scene Five - three days later
2
Who’s Who in the Cast
STEPHEN KLINE
Stephen Kline performed last year at the Los Angeles Theatre Center where he originated the role of The Apartment
in CRUMBLE a new play written by Sheila Callaghan, which
earned the L.A. Time’s Critic’s Choice Award. Prior to this,
he was Petrone in Sam Shepard’s SUICIDE IN B FLAT at the
Hayworth Theatre. Earlier this year with Theatre 68, he appeared in Sam Shepard’s EYES FOR CONSUELA in the role
of Henry. While in the production of EYES FOR CONSUELA,
audiences were also able to see him perform as Benjamin
Braddock in THE GRADUATE, while simultaneously playing
Austin in Sam Shepard’s TRUE WEST at The Maverick Theatre. Stephen has also appeared in numerous independent
films.
TYLER CHRISTOPHER
Working on TNT’s INTO THE WEST gave me a unique in-
trospective into what my “duty” as an actor is in terms of how
it relates to worldly values. I walked onto that set and was
awestruck by the image of one hundred charred tepees strewn
across a barren landscape. I was humbled by the realization
that my role was no longer about me or the advancement of
my career, but was instead about exposing an historical atrocity - just as BENT focuses on the pre-WWII Nazi persecution
of homosexuals amid the horror of Hitler’s growing power and
the immoral political arrogance leading to the imprisonment
and extermination of thousands.
ANDREW MILLER
Before moving to Los Angeles four years ago, Andrew was
immersed in the Extreme Sport Industry. His abilities in
snowboarding and skateboarding led him to become involved
in stunt work for film and television, and ultimately renewed
his interest in acting. Highlights thus far include: working
with Ang Lee, John Badham, Tim Bui and Arthur Mendoza.
Andrew recently finished a screenplay entitled THE FIX about
two brothers involved in organized crime in California. It is
currently being shopped.
RYAN PAUL JAMES
Ryan Paul James started acting in Florida where he worked
on various TV shows and films. His first job was on the MICKEY MOUSE CLUB for the final season in 1995. Since then,
he has been honored to work with the likes of John Travolta,
Ray Liotta, and Carol Burnett, to name a few. He is currently
directing a documentary called WHAT IF, with Art Linkletter,
which explores the effects of suicide on families. Ryan would
like to thank God, his family, and Crystal for giving him this
opportunity to work on an incredible play with an awesome
cast and director.
SAMUEL DAHL
Samuel Dahl was born in Minnesota and has been living in
LA since August 2005. Samuel got his start in acting in MN
when he got a reoccurring role on HGTV’s TIPycal Maryellen
3
as the teen tipster. Soon after, he landed a role on a local
station as a teen news reporter. This sparked his desire to act
professionally and move to Los Angeles where he attended the
American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He recently costarred in his first independent film and is looking forward to
what the future may hold for his career.
PAUL A. HICKS
Paul is an artist living in Los Angeles. He studied at Actor’s
Circle Theatre. His training has allowed him to take on a diverse body of work including plays like San Antonio Sunset, Cops and Frankie & Johnny. Paul also started a
creative company that has produced a number of short films.
His film credits include The Gymnast and ACTION HERO.
RICK SCHIAFFO
Rick was most recently seen as ‘Baltimore’ in the quirky new
independent film This is a Business. A native of the NYC
area, Mr. Schiaffo has enjoyed acting on stage and in front
of the camera for many years. He is delighted to be a part of
this ensemble.
JAMISON JONES
Jamison is proud to return to Theater 68 where he was last
seen in The Boys Next Door. Other theater: The Lion in
Winter with Mariette Hartley, The Foreigner, All My
Sons, Dancing at Lughnasa & The Rainmaker: La
Mirada Theater/McCoy Rigby Ent., How the Other Half
Loves: Pasadena Playhouse, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead & Angels in America: American Conservatory Theater and two European premieres in
Edinburgh, Scotland.
Currently, Jamison can be seen in multiple episodes of this
season’s hit show 24 and the 2007 release He Was a Quiet
Man opposite Christian Slater & William H. Macy. Other
films: Water Under The Bridge, Hollywood Homicide, Destiny, Dark Blue.
Other television: General Hospital, N.C.I.S., Crossing
Jordan, Strong Medicine, Will & Grace, The Division, Beverly Hills 90210, THAT 70’s Show, JAG and
ALIAS.
Jamison holds an MFA from The American Conservatory Theater.
TIMOTHY THOMAS BROWN
LA audiences may remember Tim from the Theatre 68/NotSoSoft Production of Sweetest Tongue, Sharpest Tooth. Highlights from his New York and Regional theatre credits include:
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; New Jersey Shakespeare
Festival; Lantern Theatre Company; Mint Theatre Company;
Kings County Shakespeare Company; His television credits
include: Monk, The District, Haunted, One Life to
Live, General Hospital. Film: Headhunter, Resident
Evil: Extinction (2007 release). Tim was also a member
of the popular NYC sketch-comedy troupe The Onion Burglars.
He has choreographed/coordinated dozens of stage and film
fights for independent films, short films, commercials, and
theatrical productions.
a six year personal hiatus. Among his 15 projects completed
since then, upcoming feature film releases include SHELTER
and PLAUGERS. Clips of Chad’s work and full resume/bio
at www.chadnell.nowcasting.com. BENT marks Chad’s stage
debut.
CHAD NELL
After completing the acting program at UCLA, Chad joined
the high risk acrobatic group DIAVOLO. His tenure was highlighted by winning the CRITICS CHOICE award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Chad returned to co-write
and star in the feature film comedy RHINOS, which won best
feature at the NY Independent International Fim/Video Festival.
In January 2006, Chad re-dedicated himself to acting after
FORREST LANCASTER
Forrest was born in San Diego, but moved to Massachusetts
when he was eight. His first role was Oliver in a summer theatre production in his hometown of Lexington when he was
eleven. He continued doing community theatre through high
school and took part in several theatre festivals along the way.
He moved to Los Angeles in 2005 to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and has since graduated. This is
Forrest’s first production in Los Angeles and it is a privilege
to work with this company.
UNDERSTUDY APPEARANCES
Sunday 1/28 Max - Chad Nell
Captain - Forrest Lancaster
Saturday 2/3 Max - Chad Nell
Captain - Forrest Lancaster
Sunday 2/11 Horst - Timothy Thomas Brown Officer - Forrest Lancaster
Saturday 2/17 Horst - Timothy Thomas Brown Officer - Forrest Lancaster
Who’s Who in the Crew
RONNIE MARMO (Producer)
Ronnie has produced four feature films including West of
Brooklyn, Limbo Lounge, Fish Without A Bicycle,
and Another Happy Ending. Ronnie has also produced
over thirty stage plays including the critically acclaimed
West of Brooklyn, three six-month sold out runs of Bill
W and Dr. Bob, a six month run of Lenny Bruce is
Back (and boy is he pissed), The Boys Next Door,
and The Knights of Mary Phagan.
In addition to starring in West of Brooklyn, Ronnie has
starred in the following feature films: Limbo Lounge (post
production), Pop Kowboy (completed), Deuces Wild,
Irish Eyes, and Fish without a Bicycle. Ronnie has
guest starred on Jag, Young and the Restless and
General Hospital. Ronnie has also starred in over thirty
stage plays including a six-month run of the one man show
Lenny Bruce is Back (and boy is he pissed). He
toured with the Broadway National touring company as Tony
in Tony and Tina’s Wedding.
Ronnie has written five feature films including the critically
acclaimed West of Brooklyn, Our Story, and You’ll
Always Be My Horse. Ronnie has also written ten stage
plays including West of Brooklyn, Bar 5, Saint Nick,
Signor Lupen, What’s A’matta mommy (one man
show), No Cowboys in Brooklyn, and Friends of
Bill W. Ronnie co-founded the 68 Cent Crew Theatre Company in 2001 and continues to serve as the Creative Director.
Crystal K. Craft (Director)
Crystal has worked in theatre, film, television, and dance
across the U.S. and in London. She has worked as a theatre
instructor for Rutgers University and Ohio University. She
was a founding member of The Unlimited Potential Theatre
Company in New Brunswick NJ, and is on the Board of Directors for Shakespeare at Play. LA credits include THE CREDEAUX CANVAS, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR (nominated for
an NAACP directing award in 2004), and EYES FOR CONSUELA. She is thrilled to be back at Theatre 68 with this
production of BENT.
AMY REISS (Assistant Director)
Though this is Amy’s first attempt at assistant directing, she
is no stranger to the theater. Mostly an actor/singer, she has
been known to lend her hand to different productions simply
because of her passion for keeping theater alive, especially in
LA. She was last seen on stage at the Hudson Backstage in
The Break-Up Notebook: A Lesbian Musical, which
just won the Ovation Award for Best World Premiere Musical.
She is thrilled to be a part of this important piece and thanks
Crystal for the opportunity. And a special thank you to her
good friend Ronnie Marmo for creating a “NY home” here in
Los Angeles.
4
DANNY CISTONE (Set Designer)
Danny is an award-winning actor, director, writer, comic,
musician, and designer with credits on Broadway, in regional
theatre, film, and television. He has designed dozens of theatrical productions and several films. His new design company is DC2. Danny is co-creator and director of the stage
play GROOVALOO, a founding member of For The Kids sketch
troupe, Art Director/performance artist for his band Carbon
9, and the hip-hop dance crew The Groovaloos, and a member
of the percussion performance group Rhythm Extreme. Upcoming designs include GROOVALOO and SPEED OF DARKNESS. His new movie WEST OF BROOKLYN is due out in
2007.
LEAH SPRINGMAN (Lighting Designer)
Leah received a BA in theatre from UW-Madison and a MFA
in Lighting Design from UC-Irvine and now works as a freelance designer in the Los Angeles area. Recent projects include Lighting Designer for Suicide in B-Flat and Machiavelli at the Hayworth Theatre, Associate Lighting
Designer for Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights and
Assistant Lighting Designer for The Drowsy Chaperone at the
Ahmanson Theatre.
SARA JO ANDERSON (Costume Designer)
Sara Jo attended Bowling Green State University in Northern
Ohio, majoring in Apparel Merchandising/Product Development and spent one year at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She’s had two internships, one in NYC
and one in London after which Sara moved to Los Angeles to
follow her dreams. Currently, Sara is a costumer at ABC’s
General Hospital. Sara wants to thank everyone whom she
has met in LA for giving her a chance, especially her co-workers at General Hospital and her close friends and family.
WENDY MARMO (Music Director)
Wendy Marmo has over twelve years experience in the music
business with positions at major record labels and music publishers. Two years ago she formed Super Music Services, a
company which does Music Supervision and also Music Clearance and Licensing for film and television. She has worked as
the Music Supervisor on several feature films including West
of Brooklyn, Outside Sales, and Pop Kowboy. She
is currently in post production on the feature film Limbo
Lounge. She has also worked as the Music Supervisor on
several stage plays including Bill W. & Dr. Bob and The
Boys Next Door. Super Music Services –
www.supermusicservices.com – 818-645-5606.
Eastern Costume
Jim Livie - President
7243 Coldwater Canyon Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91605
(818) 982-3611
Fax (818) 982-1905
www.EasternCostume.com
Mia Hansen
Aquarius PR
5320 Sylmar Ave.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91401
(818) 386.2907- direct
(818) 386.2908- office
(818) 386.2909- fax
If you would like to audition for the Crew or just
get more info on our company, e-mail Ryan James
at auditions@68centcrew.com.
Join
68 Cent Crew Play
Reading Series
us for the 1st Monday of every month at
7:30 PM as we celebrate new works by reading
them aloud. Enjoy complimentary drinks and
hors d’oeuvres.
This lovely evening is FREE, but donations are
gratefully accepted.
5
Special Thanks
Roger Johnson
Molly Johnson
Natalia Livingston
Steve Helgoth
Len Marcus
Rob Markham
John Linscott
Melinda Lively
Brittany Marmo
Katy Jacoby
Anthony L. Gilardi
Danielle Merrill
Nick Vitulli
Paul McGee
Mia Chiaromonte
Sean Malone
Diana Suko
Theatre 68 t-shirts are
available at the Box Office.
5th ANNUAL THEATRE FUNDRAISER!
Tyler is once again having his Annual Theatre 68 Fundraiser during the General
Hospital Fan Club weekend. Tyler’s event is scheduled on Sunday, July 15, 2007.
July 15, 2007
6:00 - 7:00 PM (check in begins at 6:00 PM - event begins at 6:45-7:00 PM
Sportsmen Event Center, Studio City, CA
Cost: $75
Send check/money order
(payable to Sheri Evans)
with a size 10 SASE to:
Sheri Evans
Tyler Event
14440 Dickens Street, Apt. 308
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
68 Cent
Crew
Company
Bruce Barker
Mia Chiaromonte
Tyler Christopher
Danny Cistone*
Tommy Colavito*
Shannon Farrara
Meg Finn
Andy Gala
Anthony L Gilardi
Heather Halley
Paul A. Hicks
Sam Ingraffia
Katy Jacoby
Ryan Paul James
Stephen Kline
Corinna LaRocco
Melinda Lively
Sean Malone
Ronnie Marmo*
Monica May
Sharis Menassian
Danielle Merrill
Paul McGee
Emily Morrison
Angela Pupello*
DJ Rabiola
DonnaMarie Recco
Amy Reiss
Priscilla Resendiz
Charlie Schmidt
Jennifer Silva
Rachael Sizgorich
Bill Steele
Diana Suko
Michelle Tanner
Kurt TenEyck
Nick Triplett
Christina Venuti
Nick Vitulli
*Executive Board
6
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
BILL W. AND DR. BOB
A powerful drama detailing the events that led to the creation of
Alcoholics Anonymous
By Samuel Shem & Janet Surrey
Directed by Ronnie Marmo
“An often moving revival…”
LA Times
“Marmo’s direction sensitively guides the action”
LA Weekly – Recommended
“…Outstanding ‘no holds-barred’ performances”
NoHo LA – Recommended
Opening March 16th
Friday & Saturday @ 8:00 PM ♦ Sunday 3:00 PM
Theatre 68 ♦ 5419 Sunset Blvd. ♦ Tickets: $25
Reservations: 323 467 6688 or www.68centcrew.com (for more info)